Solved Should I buy Windows 8 or stick to Windows 7 HP?

[mystvearn]

Before I continue any further, I have to mention that I have asked the same thing on the W7 forums. Thread here: Should I buy Windows 8 or stick to Windows 7 HP? - Windows 7 Help Forums


I just found out my OEM W7 HP no longer works as I have replaced the motherboard, which is annoying. I can't activate windows.

Is it worthwhile to upgrade to W8? I don't have a touch screen and this is only for desktop use. I do have steam and old games, and I also have work applications. I don't like the startup screen, though there is a classic start software which can cure that problem. I do use a 2 monitor setup.

So should I get W8 or stick to W7, which I can get cheaper than W8. If W8 is better, which version to get? I want similar stuff as my W7 HP.

Things I have on the desktop at all times in Windows 7 are my rainlendar, Win 7 gadgets (internet speed and day counter) and trillian/ym. Pinned programs include FF, WMP, Word, PS, Steam, Snipping tool, Acrobat Pro X.

Things in the taskbar inlcude Pop-peeper, Outlook 2010, Volume, Wifi strength connection. All other apps are hidden.

 

[Brink]

Hello mystvearn,

If you like, you could download and install a free 90-day evaluation copy of Windows 8 Enterprise to play with to see how you like it versus Windows 7 before making a decision or purchasing anything.

Download Windows 8 Enterprise Evaluation

See also: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5757-compare-windows-8-editions.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[mystvearn]

Thanks Brink,

I am now waiting to download W8 Enterprise. I have experienced with W8 before, but never bothered with it as my W7 was good. Now I'm forced to upgrade to W8 Pro as I found a cheap deal which includes win8 Pro and Office 2013. The W7 retail packs are cheaper, but considering MS will terminate W7 support earlier than W8 and I need another office pack, I might as well go for it

Thanks for your help.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. I hope installation goes well.

 

[setcho]

Personally I like windows 8 it is working well for me so if you want to try it go ahead. However if you want to save yourself some money just download the digital river windows 7 iso and use the microsoft COA code (which I assume you have) to activate it. It will work, I had a similar problem with HP when I changed the HDD the HP install disks that I had created wouldn't run.

Follow the links here How to get a free legal copy of a Windows 7 installation disk

 

[goodintentions]

Windows 8 is everything that windows 7 was plus more. Just give it a chance and you will come to like it. Here are some facts.

(1) All apps that worked on 7 will work on 8.

(2) You can bring back thee start menu with classic shell.

(3) Nobody is forcing you to use metro apps. I know a lot of people here would like you to believe that if you have 8 then MS will send out an assassin to force you to use metro apps. The reality is you have a choice between metro apps and millions of desktop apps.

(4) It takes about 60 seconds to tweak the system to kill the start screen completely.

(5) The world will not come to an end if you have 8.

(6) 8 runs much better than 7. It is smoother, it starts up faster, and it is much more stable. But none of that matters because the world will end soon, according to some people here.

(7) To give you an idea of how much better 8 runs compared to 7, I've written 2 apps using visual studio 2012 and published them using only an atom tablet running windows 8. I've got an i7 desktop now, so obviously I use the desktop for heavy duty lifting. But you get the idea. Could not have done this in 7, android, or iOS.

I'm currently out of town, and I just submitted an update I wrote purely with the atom tablet I brought along. Again, couldn't have done something like this with 7.

(8) Try to ignore the doomsdayers. They've been around since the dawn of civilization. And we're still here.

 

[alphanumeric]

If you replaced your OEM HP motherboard with a matching HP supplied motherboard a reinstall may fix your activation problem. Another option would be to use the product code on the COA sticker and activate by phone.

 

[mystvearn]

If you replaced your OEM HP motherboard with a matching HP supplied motherboard a reinstall may fix your activation problem. Another option would be to use the product code on the COA sticker and activate by phone.

I did not replaced a matching board. I went from a socket 775 to a 1150

 

[JustATest]

I just found out my OEM W7 HP no longer works as I have replaced the motherboard, which is annoying. I can't activate windows.

You may still be able to activate Windows 7 even though you replaced the motherboard. The reason I am suggesting this is possible is because I have seen it done (using unlike motherboards) before with success. Moreover, I can't find anywhere in the OEM license that specifically identifies what components can be replaced and which ones cannot. In fact, I don't even remember repair being discussed in any detail in that license document.

UPDATE: If you try the phone activation and it leads into Microsoft asking you a few more "automated" questions, the response should always be "one." Don't start to try and explain your issue. Just say "one" to everything the robot asks you. Good luck.

 

[mystvearn]

I just found out my OEM W7 HP no longer works as I have replaced the motherboard, which is annoying. I can't activate windows.

You may still be able to activate Windows 7 even though you replaced the motherboard. The reason I am suggesting this is possible is because I have seen it done (using unlike motherboards) before with success. Moreover, I can't find anywhere in the OEM license that specifically identifies what components can be replaced and which ones cannot. In fact, I don't even remember repair being discussed in any detail in that license document.

UPDATE: If you try the phone activation and it leads into Microsoft asking you a few more "automated" questions, the response should always be "one." Don't start to try and explain your issue. Just say "one" to everything the robot asks you. Good luck.

Should have obtained the advice BEFORE I pressed "two"

 

[JustATest]

I just found out my OEM W7 HP no longer works as I have replaced the motherboard, which is annoying. I can't activate windows.

You may still be able to activate Windows 7 even though you replaced the motherboard. The reason I am suggesting this is possible is because I have seen it done (using unlike motherboards) before with success. Moreover, I can't find anywhere in the OEM license that specifically identifies what components can be replaced and which ones cannot. In fact, I don't even remember repair being discussed in any detail in that license document.

UPDATE: If you try the phone activation and it leads into Microsoft asking you a few more "automated" questions, the response should always be "one." Don't start to try and explain your issue. Just say "one" to everything the robot asks you. Good luck.

Should have obtained the advice BEFORE I pressed "two"

Bingo! Give it another try and see what happens. No guarantees but its worth a shot. Good luck.

 

[SIW2]

Tell MS you had to replace your mobo. Apparently they will be fine about that.

 

[mystvearn]

I did. But they say you could only replace with the same kind. Nevermind. I've got a cheap W8 Pro and Office Pro Plus anyway. I've given up on this. Might as well just throw the disc away

 

[setcho]

Did you try the Windows 7 ISO provided by digital river? I believe your problems with activation are because you are using the OEM install disc provided by HP. AFAIK Microsoft allowed the ISO's to be released on digital river in order to circumvent this kind of problem. Note using these ISO's is also a good way of getting rid of the bloatware on new PC's hopefully they will release one for Windows 8.1 in the near future then I can get rid of all the VAIO crapware on my laptop.

I see this thread is marked as solved so if you don't read this before buying Windows 8 no worries, as I mentioned before I like it and I'm sure it will suffice for you too.

 

[mystvearn]

Did you try the Windows 7 ISO provided by digital river? I believe your problems with activation are because you are using the OEM install disc provided by HP. AFAIK Microsoft allowed the ISO's to be released on digital river in order to circumvent this kind of problem. Note using these ISO's is also a good way of getting rid of the bloatware on new PC's hopefully they will release one for Windows 8.1 in the near future then I can get rid of all the VAIO crapware on my laptop.

I see this thread is marked as solved so if you don't read this before buying Windows 8 no worries, as I mentioned before I like it and I'm sure it will suffice for you too.

Oh, HP= Home Premium, not Hewlett Packard . My bad. I bought a standalone OEM disc. Even if I tried the ISO, I still need a key, the key is still an OEM key.

Already bought and using Win8. Customized it to be as close to Win7 as possible.

 

[setcho]

Aha... more my bad methinks!

As for customizing Win 8 I agree, absolutely no need to use metro if you don't like it or want to. Change the default programs and essentially you have Win 7 without a menu and if that irks you go for classic shell or one of the other options.

 

[mystvearn]

Using classic shell now

 

[jimbo45]

Did you try the Windows 7 ISO provided by digital river? I believe your problems with activation are because you are using the OEM install disc provided by HP. AFAIK Microsoft allowed the ISO's to be released on digital river in order to circumvent this kind of problem. Note using these ISO's is also a good way of getting rid of the bloatware on new PC's hopefully they will release one for Windows 8.1 in the near future then I can get rid of all the VAIO crapware on my laptop.

I see this thread is marked as solved so if you don't read this before buying Windows 8 no worries, as I mentioned before I like it and I'm sure it will suffice for you too.

Hi there
Download and install the ISO for win 8.1 if you want to get rid of all the crapware on the VAIO -- Win 8 even recognizes built in dual card reader if you are still using things like sony PRO DUO memory sticks. !!

Cheers
jimbo

 

[alphanumeric]

If you replaced your OEM HP motherboard with a matching HP supplied motherboard a reinstall may fix your activation problem. Another option would be to use the product code on the COA sticker and activate by phone.

I did not replaced a matching board. I went from a socket 775 to a 1150

Your original motherboard had an SLIC table in the BIOS. Your install media uses OEM-SLP activation against the BIOS SLIC table. If the replacement motherboard doesn't have the correct SLIC table in the BIOS the OEM-SLP activation fails. In that case you are supposed to purchase a new license, buy a new version of Windows.

 

[JustATest]

Did you try the Windows 7 ISO provided by digital river? I believe your problems with activation are because you are using the OEM install disc provided by HP. AFAIK Microsoft allowed the ISO's to be released on digital river in order to circumvent this kind of problem. Note using these ISO's is also a good way of getting rid of the bloatware on new PC's hopefully they will release one for Windows 8.1 in the near future then I can get rid of all the VAIO crapware on my laptop.

I see this thread is marked as solved so if you don't read this before buying Windows 8 no worries, as I mentioned before I like it and I'm sure it will suffice for you too.

Oh, HP= Home Premium, not Hewlett Packard . My bad. I bought a standalone OEM disc. Even if I tried the ISO, I still need a key, the key is still an OEM key.

Already bought and using Win8. Customized it to be as close to Win7 as possible.

Did you try a brand new clean install or did you just try to authenticate the same installation again (that was previously rejected)? I can only tell you that I've seen it done before (actual witness to the process) and, once it was a retail laptop and the other time it was a self build. SIW and alpanumeric have also provided other methods that might work. Again, there is nothing in the OEM license document that strictly forbids one from replacing the motherboard. Same for a hard drive. Example, what if you have an old motherboard that is manufacture discontinued. How can you ever get an exact replacement? How about if you have an old WD 40GB that goes south, should one scour the earth looking for an exact replacement? Both are components and the license document does not specifically cite/identify any difference between the two. Good luck.